Georgia, Tbilisi, November 17 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
It needs to create an equal field for the activities of all parties in order to hold elections, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said to a joint press briefing with Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Giorgi Bokeria in Tbilisi on Nov. 17.
In this regard, the role of mass media and its degree of freedom assume particular importance, he said. "We have discussed these issues with both the opposition and the authorities," said the American diplomat.
Posner remembered that soon Georgia will receive the last part of U.S. aid totaling $250 million, and this amount must be spent on strengthening democracy in the country.
In his turn, Bokeria welcomed the U.S. assistance to strengthen democracy in Georgia and expressed his gratitude that the U.S. promptly provided financial aid to Georgia after the Georgian-Ossetian war last year. "For the development of democracy, particularly two components are necessary: establishing the culture of relations between the radical political parties and the debates on the introduction of trial by jury, since citizen participation in the implementation of the court will increase the political maturity of the population," - he said.
Regarding the existence of political prisoners in Georgia, Bokeria noted that despite the approval of certain political forces, there are not political prisoners in Georgia. "This is not the subject of talks, and the issue the opposition criticizes the government, it is natural for a democratic state," he said.
Bokeria said that if there is at least one fact of political prisoners in Georgia, then he is ready to respond.
Posner described "positive" and "constructive" the dialogue with the Georgian authorities in Tbilisi in the end of the meeting of the working group on democracy, established under the Charter of the Georgian-American strategic cooperation. "I see our visit as a continuation of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Georgia," he said.
Posner said that the meeting discussed the planned spring elections for local authorities, the independence of the judiciary, the new Criminal Procedure Code, which, he says, is "a step forward."
Posner said that the meeting focused on the planned spring elections for local authorities, the independence of the judiciary, the new Criminal Procedure Code, which is "a step forward", he said.
"The visit was very significant, and our dialogue will continue in the coming months," he said.
U.S. Department of State also regrets for the kidnapping of four Georgian teenagers, he said. "There is no reason for the detention of these children and they should be released immediately," he said.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az
